musing

American  

[myoo-zing] / ˈmyu zɪŋ /

adjective

1. absorbed in thought; meditative.

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noun

1. contemplation; reflection.

Other Word Forms

• musingly adverb
• unmusing adjective

Etymology

Origin of musing

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; muse, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Explanation

Use the adjective musing to describe something that's reflective or thoughtful, like a musing diary entry that explores the meaning of life. When you ponder or contemplate, you muse, and anything that appears this way can be described as musing. You might love your English teacher's musing responses to students' questions or grow bored by a French film's slow, musing quality. You can also use the word as a noun meaning "period of reflection," although it's most often written as the plural musings: "This book is nothing but the author's musings about his cat."

Example Sentences

Her account on X, formerly Twitter, mixes messages about high-level diplomacy with the occasional musing on outfit choices and remarks about cooking dinner.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 7, 2026

Musk returned fire, calling O’Leary an “utter idiot” who should be fired and musing on the social-media service he owns whether he should buy the airline and install someone named Ryan to run it.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 20, 2026

In the changing rooms, a welcoming, ready-made friendship group of Newcastle-supporting team-mates pull on black and white jerseys while musing about early season defeats by Juventus and Inter Milan.

From BBC • Nov. 24, 2025

Publicly at least, she seldom shows frustration or exasperation, once musing: “President Trump has his own, very special way of communicating.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 1, 2025

It seemed to look between Ekon and Koffi, musing, and as its gaze landed on Ekon, its proper name rose to the forefront of his mind, pulled from the pages of Nkrumah’s journal.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray